So true it all being in your mind...

[sunshinefish]

Today was going to be a tough run. It's chucking it down, freezing (for me anyway), there's football on in the middle of the running track I use and no children to support me. And it's for 28 mins.

But I got out there and did it! Despite the rain and the exposed bits of me going bright red with cold, loss of feeling in my fingertips and bemused looks of the parents watching their kids play footie as I wobbled past, and even one comment of "You're mad".

The 28 min run wasn't actually that bad. The cold and wet though, ugh. They're my gremlins to battle. But having read some posts about running in the rain and how sometimes your mind is the biggest stumbling block, I thought no excuses, thanks to you guys!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

28 minutes is great and having everything pushing you out of your comfort zone makes it doubly so. How strong is your mind to get the job done? Well done.

Oh and that “you’re mad” comment... well of course, you’re a runner, embrace the madness.

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UnfitNoMore! It's now sunny here but it did me no harm doing it in the rain and frees up the afternoon for family time...

I think I just let out a manic cackle when the lady said I was mad! At least she said it nicely!

[Razouski]

Sounds like a run well done. You’re going to have to get used to some interesting weather so it might be worth investing in some extra bits of kit. I have running gloves which I used throughout the winter as even when the rest of me warms up my hands seem to stay freezing. You might want a hat too. I have a cap for wet days as I’m a specs wearer and it’s a vain attempt to keep my glasses rain free.

Layers will be important when it gets really cold. I generally run in a vest but then add a light jacket either for rain or cold . But for me it has to have a zip all the way down as once I get going I tend to heat up and off it comes, to be tied round my waist.

I’ve also got different lengths of leggings - shorts, Capri and full length.

We may be mad but it’s “fun” to run in different weather! 😉

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Thanks Razouski! I agree re the weather. So far it's been glorious for my 8 weeks of running. You've given me some good ideas there, especially gloves and a hat, today I wore contacts but won't always be so.

I did think about wearing leggings but thought it would be nasty running in wet leggings. I guess if I got some proper running ones they might stick to me less than cotton ones. I like the idea of capri ones. A browse on Decathlon is in order.

I actually ran in a north face waterproof that I have had for about 10 years today. It felt a bit odd, sweaty and cold at the same time!